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Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

For years, Eric Fisher watched the NFL draft, devouring as much network coverage of the event as he could.

He saw teammates such as Antonio Brown and Dan LeFevour go in the later rounds in recent years and, when the big left tackle from Central Michigan got an official invitation to attend this year’s draft in New York City, he didn’t have to think twice before accepting.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I don’t think I could pass up on,” Fisher said. “It’s going to be great experience and it’s not something everyone gets to experience, so I’ll really cherish that moment for a long time.”

A probable top-10 pick, Fisher visited the Lions today along with North Carolina State cornerback David Amerson.

The Lions will take a hard look at Fisher if he makes it to No. 5, but there’s no guarantee that happens.

Fisher worked out privately for the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this week, and there’s some speculation that he could vault Texas A&M’s Luke Joeckel and be the first offensive lineman taken.

“There’s a lot of talk, but when the talk has a pick in the NFL draft, then I might pay attention to it,” Fisher said. “For now, I’m just doing what I have to do to get ready for April 25 and take care of it day by day.”

The Lions’ offensive line remains in flux after the retirement of Jeff Backus and the departure of Gosder Cherilus and Stephen Peterman earlier this off-season.

Left guard Rob Sims and center Dominic Raiola return as starters, and Riley Reiff, last year’s first-round pick, will start at one of the three remaining positions.

Jason Fox, Corey Hilliard and Bill Nagy should contend for starting jobs, and the Lions could consider Fisher, Joeckel or Oklahoma’s Lane Johnson in the first round.

Fisher, who drove to today’s meeting from his home in Rochester, spent a few hours at the Lions’ Allen Park headquarters this morning and said he has not worked out privately for the team yet.

“Had a good day,” he said. “Met a lot of people, talked some football, got a tour of the facility. Overall very happy with the way it went.”

Amerson, who led the nation with 13 interceptions as a sophomore, is projected as a Day 2 pick after he left school early following a down junior season. At just over 6-foot-1, the Lions project him as a cornerback though some teams think he'll eventually wind up as a safety.